Devices, assemblies, and methods for mounting a wireless access point to a post

ABSTRACT

An assembly for mounting a wireless access point includes a base panel configured to be mounted to a post and to support the access point. The assembly includes a shroud configured to at least partially surround the base panel, the access point, and the post. The assembly can also include an antenna support configured to support an antenna coupled to the access point and configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. A method of mounting the access point to the post includes mounting, to the post, the base panel supporting the access point. The method also includes, after mounting the base panel to the post, coupling the shroud to the base panel such that the shroud at least partially surrounds the base panel, the access point, and the post.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/488,052, filed Sep. 16, 2014, titled “Devices,Assemblies, and Methods for Mounting a Wireless Access Point to a Post,”which is incorporated by reference to in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present invention is generally related to wireless networks and morespecifically to devices, assemblies, and methods for mounting a wirelessaccess point to a post.

Background

People are increasingly relying on network connectivity. For example,people rely on network connectivity to provide access email, theInternet, mobile applications, centralized databases, and informationmanagement systems. Accordingly, indoor and outdoor wireless networksare becoming increasingly important. Often the desired location, forexample, parks, streets, buildings, and outdoor venues, in which thesewireless networks are installed must be retro-fitted with the necessarynetwork equipment. Unfortunately, the retro-fitted equipment istypically visually obtrusive and architecturally incongruent with thedesired location.

Accordingly, there is need for devices, assemblies, and methods formounting network equipment, for example, a wireless access point, at thedesired location in a manner that attractively conceals the equipment tohelp prevent the network equipment from being an visual eyesore whilealso allowing the equipment to function properly.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an assembly for mounting a wireless access pointand an antenna to a post includes a base panel configured to be mountedto the post and to support the wireless access point. The assembly alsoincludes a shroud configured to at least partially surround the basepanel, the wireless access point supported by the base panel, and thepost. The base panel and the wireless access point can be positionedentirely within an interior volume defined by the shroud, and at least aportion of the post can be positioned within the interior volume definedby the shroud.

In some embodiments, an assembly for mounting a wireless access pointand an antenna to a post includes a base panel configured to be mountedto the post and to support the wireless access point. The assembly alsoincludes a wireless access point mounting bracket coupled to the basepanel and configured to secure a wireless access point to the basepanel. Further, the assembly includes an antenna support configured tosupport the antenna. The antenna support is rotatably coupled to thewireless access point mounting bracket. The antenna support rotatesrelative to the base panel and between a first position and a secondposition. The assembly also includes a shroud configured to at leastpartially surround the base panel, the wireless access point supportedby the base panel, and the post.

In some embodiments, a device for enclosing a wireless access pointmounted to a post includes a shroud defining an interior volumeconfigured to at least partially receive the wireless access point and aportion of the post. The shroud at least partially surrounds thewireless access point and the post.

In some embodiments, a method of mounting a wireless access point to apost includes mounting, to the post, a base panel supporting thewireless access point. The method also includes, after mounting the basepanel to the post, coupling a shroud to the base panel such that theshroud at least partially surrounds the base panel, the wireless accesspoint supported by the base panel, and the post.

Further features and advantages, as well as the structure and operationof various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference tothe accompanying drawings. It is noted that the embodiments of theinvention are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.Such described embodiments are presented herein for illustrativepurposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wireless access pointmounting assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the wireless access pointmounting assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the wireless access point mountingassembly of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the wireless access point mountingassembly of FIGS. 1-3

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wireless access pointmounting assembly of FIGS. 1-4 taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the wireless access pointmounting assembly of FIGS. 1-5 with the antennas removed forillustration purposes.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a wireless access pointmounting assembly according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a wireless access pointaccording to another embodiment.

Features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings, in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is described herein with reference to illustrativeembodiments for particular applications, it should be understood thatthe invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art withaccess to the teachings provided herein will recognize additionalmodifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereofand additional fields in which the invention would be of significantutility.

The embodiments described, and references in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “an example,”“some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiments described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is understood that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

Referring generally to the figures, devices, assemblies, and methods formounting a wireless access point to a post are shown and described.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a wireless access point mounting assembly 100according to an embodiment. Wireless access point mounting assembly 100is configured to mount a wireless access point 104 to a post 102. Post102 is a slender object—its width is small in proportion to itslength—that extends along a longitudinal axis 103. Although post 102 isillustrated as having a circular cross-sectional shape, post 102 mayhave a non-circular cross-sectional shape, for example, a square,rectangle, triangle, ellipse, or any other suitable non-circular shape.In some embodiments, longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 is substantiallyvertical. In some embodiments, longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 is notsubstantially vertical, for example, substantially horizontal. In someembodiments, post 102 may have a shape that varies along longitudinalaxis 103. In some embodiments, post 102 is a post that supports a lampand extends from the ground as shown in FIG. 7.

Wireless access point 104 is part of a wireless network, for example, awireless local area network (WLAN). Access point 104 wirelessly couplesa compatible computational device, for example, a computer, a gameconsole, a mobile phone, an MP3 player, a personal digital assistant(PDA), or any other suitable computational device, to the network. Insome embodiments, access point 104 is one of a plurality of accesspoints that compose, at least in part, the network. In some embodiments,access point 104 is a WiFi access point that is compatible with the802.11 WLAN specification. Access point 104 can be configured for eitherindoor or outdoor use. Access point 104 can be either single or dualband.

In some embodiments, access point 104 is operatively coupled to one ormore external antennas, for example, by one or more plenum cables. Asshown in FIGS. 1-4, for example, access point 104 is operatively coupledto two external antennas 106 and 108. Depending on the application,antennas 106 and 108 can be omnidirectional, dipost, or directionalantennas, and can be single or dual band antennas. In some embodiments,each antenna 106 and 108 can be a directional, single band antenna.Antennas 106 and 108 can be configured for either indoor or outdoor use.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 1-6, wireless access point mountingassembly 100 includes a base panel 110 configured to be mounted to post102 and configured to support wireless access point 104. In someembodiments, base panel 110 is configured to be mounted directly to post102, for example, using first and second post mounting brackets 122 and124 as further described below. Base panel 110 can have any suitableshape. For example, as best seen in FIGS. 1-4, base panel 110 issubstantially rectangular and planar. In other embodiments, base panel110 can have any other suitable shape. For example, base panel 110 canbe square and non-planar, and define cavities configured to receive aportion of access point 104.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 1 and 2, wireless access point mountingassembly 100 also includes a pair of opposing supporting panels 112 and113 that extend from base panel 110 away from post 102. The gap betweensupporting panels 112 and 113 is sized to closely receive access point104 in between panels 112 and 113. As shown in FIG. 1, supporting panel112 is positioned above wireless access point 104, and as shown in FIG.2, supporting panel 113 is positioned below wireless access point 104.Supporting panels 112 and 113 extend substantially perpendicular to theplane defined by base panel 110. In other embodiments, supporting panels112 and 113 extend at a non-90-degree angle relative to the planedefined by base panel 110. Supporting panels 112 and 113 can berectangular and planar in some embodiments. In other embodiments,supporting panels 112 and 113 can be any other suitable shape. Forexample, supporting panels 112 and 113 can be square and non-planar, anddefine cavities configured to closely receive portions of access point104. Although in FIGS. 1 and 2 the width of supporting panels 112 and113 is substantially less than the width of base panel 110, the width ofsupporting panels 112 and 113 can be substantially equal to the width ofbase panel 110 in some embodiments. Supporting panels 112 and 113 can beintegral with base panel 110 or separate, but coupled to, base panel110.

Wireless access point mounting assembly 100 also includes a wirelessaccess point mounting bracket 114 that is coupled to base panel 110 andis configured, in some embodiments, to secure access point 104 to basepanel 110. As used in this application, “coupled to” means coupleddirectly to or coupled indirectly to. In some embodiments, as best seenin FIGS. 4 and 5, wireless access point mounting bracket 114 includes apair of mounting flanges 116 that are configured to be mounted flushlyagainst base panel 110. Wireless access point mounting bracket 114includes first and second bracket arms 118 and 120 that extend from thepair of mounting flanges 116. In some embodiments, first and secondbracket arms 118 and 120 are substantially U-shape as best seen in FIGS.1 and 6. Accordingly, each of first and second bracket arms 118 and 120wraps around access point 104 to secure access point 104 to base panel110. Wireless access point mounting bracket 114 can be integral withbase panel 110 or separate, but coupled to, base panel 110.

Wireless access point mounting assembly 100 can include one or more postmounting brackets configured to secure base panel 110 to post 102 and,thus, mounting assembly 100 to post 102. In some embodiments, as bestseen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, wireless access point mounting assembly100 includes a first post mounting bracket 122 and a second postmounting bracket 124 that are coupled to base panel 110 and configuredto secure base panel 110 to post 102. For example, as best seen in FIGS.1, 2, and 4-6, first and second post mounting brackets 122 and 124 aresubstantially U-shaped, in some embodiments, such that each postmounting bracket 122 and 124 is coupled to base panel 110 at one end,extends around post 102, and is coupled to base panel 110 at the otherend. In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ends of postmounting brackets 122 and 124 extend through holes defined by base panel110. The ends of first and second post mounting brackets 122 and 124 canbe threaded for operatively coupling with threaded nuts (not shown). Thethreaded nuts can be tightened to clamp base panel 110 against post 102.In some embodiments, this threaded adjustment allows first and secondpost mounting brackets 122 and 124 to accommodate a variety of sizes ofpost 102.

In some embodiments, the post mounting brackets can have other suitable,non-U-shape configurations, for example, pendant mounting brackets, postclamp mounting brackets, band clamp mounting brackets, or any othersuitable post mounting bracket configuration.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 1-6, wireless access point mountingassembly 100 can include a shroud 126 configured to at least partiallysurround base panel 110, access point 104 supported by base panel 110,and post 102. As used in this application, “to at least partiallysurround” means that at least a portion of a surrounded object is either(1) in the area bounded by (a) an open cross-sectional shape along aplane perpendicular to longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 of thesurrounding object and (b) an imaginary line extending from the ends ofthe cross-sectional shape of the surrounding object or (2) in the areabounded by a closed cross-sectional shape of the surrounding object. Forexample, referencing FIG. 5, shroud 126 has an open substantiallyU-shaped cross-sectional shape along a plane perpendicular tolongitudinal axis 103 of post 102, and at least a portion of each ofbase panel 110, access point 104, and post 102 is in the area bounded by(a) the open U-shaped cross-sectional shape of shroud 126 and (b) animaginary line 129 extending from the ends of the open U-shapedcross-sectional shape of shroud 126. Accordingly, shroud 126 at leastpartially surrounds base panel 110, access point 104, and post 102 inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In some embodiments, shroud 126at least partially surrounds one or more of first and second postmounting brackets 122 and 124, wireless access point mounting bracket114, and first and second antennas 106 and 108.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 is configured to entirely surround basepanel 110, access point 104 supported by base panel 110, and post 102.As used in this application, “to entirely surround” means that asurrounded object is either (1) entirely in the area bounded by (a) anopen cross-sectional shape along a plane perpendicular to longitudinalaxis 103 of post 102 of the surrounding object and (b) an imaginary lineextending from the ends of the cross-sectional shape of the surroundingobject or (2) entirely in the area bounded by a closed cross-sectionalshape of the surrounding object. For example, again referencing FIG. 5,shroud 126 has an open substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shapealong a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis 103 of post 102, andeach of base panel 110, access point 104, and post 102 is entirely inthe area bounded by the open U-shaped cross-sectional shape of shroud126 and imaginary line 129 extending from the ends of the open U-shapedcross-sectional shape of shroud 126. Accordingly, shroud 126 entirelysurrounds base panel 110, access point 104, and post 102 in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In some embodiments, shroud 126entirely surrounds one or more of first and second post mountingbrackets 122 and 124, wireless access point mounting bracket 114, andfirst and second antennas 106 and 108.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 entirely surrounds base panel 110,access point 104, and post 102 and at least partially surrounds one ormore of first and second post mounting brackets 122 and 124, wirelessaccess point mounting bracket 114, and first and second antennas 106 and108.

As explained above, shroud 126 can have an open cross-sectional shapealong a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 with afirst vertical edge 128 and a second vertical edge 130 separated by agap in some embodiments. The gap between first vertical edge 128 andsecond vertical edge 130 is sized to receive base panel 110, accesspoint 104, and a portion of post 102, in some embodiments, and in someembodiments, to also receive first and second post mounting brackets 122and 124, wireless access point mounting bracket 114, and first andsecond antennas 106 and 108.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the open cross-sectional shape of shroud 126 canbe substantially U-shaped along a plane perpendicular to longitudinalaxis 103 of post 102. As best seen in FIG. 5, a width of a gap betweenfirst vertical edge 128 and second vertical edge 130 is about equal tothe maximum width of the open U-shape cross-sectional shape of shroud126. In other embodiments, shroud 126 can have any other suitable opennon-U-shape cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, a width of a gapbetween first vertical edge 128 and second vertical edge 130 is themaximum width of the open cross-sectional shape of shroud 126. In otherembodiments, a width of a gap between first vertical edge 128 and secondvertical edge 130 is substantially less than the maximum width of theopen cross-sectional shape of shroud 126.

Shroud 126 defines an interior volume 127. Interior volume 127 isbounded by shroud 126 and at least one opening exposing interior volume127 to the atmosphere surrounding shroud 126. As used in thisapplication, an opening that bounds interior volume 127 is an imaginarysurface that imitates the shape that would be obtained by attaching aplastic wrap to the edges of shroud 126 with a zero pressure differencebetween interior volume 127 and the atmosphere surrounding shroud 126.For example, referencing FIG. 6, shroud 126 defines interior volume 127which is bounded by shroud 126 and an opening consisting of a firstimaginary surface portion 152 on a first side (e.g., a top side) ofmounting assembly 100, a second imaginary surface portion 154 on asecond side (e.g., a front side) of mounting assembly 100, and a thirdimaginary surface portion 156 on a third side (e.g., a bottom side) ofmounting assembly 100.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, an opening bounding interiorvolume 127 spans two or more sides of mounting assembly 100. A portionof the opening spanning one side (for example, second imaginary surfaceportion 154) can be configured to receive base panel 110, access point104, and a portion of post 102 along a first direction, for example, thex-direction as illustrated in FIG. 6. A portion of the opening spanninga second side (for example, third imaginary surface portion 156) can beconfigured to allow post 102, which is at least partially surrounded byshroud 126, to extend from interior volume 127 into the surroundingatmosphere in a second direction, for example, the negative z-directionas shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the opening bounding interiorvolume 127 includes a third portion that spans a third side (forexample, first imaginary surface portion 152) that is configured toallow post 102 to extend from interior volume 127 into the surroundingatmosphere in a third direction, for example, the positive z-directionas shown in FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, base panel 110 and accesspoint 104 are positioned entirely within interior volume 127 defined bythe shroud 126, and at least a portion of post 102 is positioned withininterior volume 127. In such embodiments, referring to FIG. 6, firstvertical edge 128 and second vertical edge 130 of shroud 126 terminatesbeyond a front surface 131 of access point 104 in a positivex-direction, a first horizontal edge 132 terminates beyond a top surface136 of access point 104 in a positive z-direction (a direction parallelto longitudinal axis 103 of post 102) perpendicular to the x-direction,and a second horizontal edge 134 terminates beyond a bottom surface 138of access point 104 in a negative z-direction. And portions of shroud126 are outside of access point 104 on both sides along a y-direction,which is perpendicular to the x-direction and the z-direction.

In some embodiments, one or more of first and second post mountingbrackets 122 and 124, wireless access point mounting bracket 114, andfirst and second antennas 106 and 108 are at least partially or, in someembodiments, entirely positioned in interior volume 127.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 is formed from a flat, single sheet ofmaterial. Shroud 126 can be a developable surface-formed from a flatsheet without stretching. Shroud 126 can be a non-developablesurface-formed from a flat sheet with stretching.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 is flexible and resilient. That is,shroud 126 can be flexed to receive base panel 110 and access point 104in interior volume 127, and then upon release, shroud 126 returns to apreformed shape.

In some embodiments, the color of shroud 126 matches the color of post102. Matching the color of shroud 126 to post 102 can help make mountingassembly 100 visually unobtrusive.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 is configured to be releasably coupledto base panel 110. As used in this application, “releasably coupled”means that shroud 126 can be coupled to base panel 110 after base panel110 is coupled to post 102. In some embodiments, shroud 126 isreleasably coupled to base panel 110 using fasteners, adhesive, apress-fit, or any other suitable releasably coupling method or device.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, shroud 126 is releasably coupled directly toaccess point mounting bracket 114 (and thus indirectly coupled to basepanel 110). For example, first and second vertical edges 128 and 130 ofshroud 126 are releasably coupled to first and second bracket arms 118and 120 of access point mounting bracket 114 in some embodiments. So atone end, shroud 126 is releasably coupled to wireless access pointmounting bracket 114. Shroud 126 then extends around post 102 and isreleasably coupled at the other end to wireless access point mountingbracket 114.

In some embodiments, mounting assembly 100 having shroud 126 can be usedwith a variety of different sized posts. Different sized posts can beaccommodated by either tightening or adjusting post mounting brackets122 and 124 or by selecting and using mounting brackets 122 and 124configured for a particular size of post 102. Thus, the same shroud 126can be used for a variety of different sized posts. That is, mountingassembly 100 having shroud 126 can accommodate a plurality of differentsized posts up to a maximum size, which is dependent on the size ofshroud 126 and how shroud 126 is coupled to base plate 110. In suchembodiments, being able to use the same shroud 126 with a variety ofdifferent sized posts, helps reduce the inventory costs of theinstaller.

In some embodiments, shroud 126 conceals access point 104 from thevisual view of network users when shroud 126 is releasably coupled tobase panel 110, for example, when access point 104 is positionedentirely within interior volume 127 defined by shroud 126.

In some embodiments in which antennas 106 and 108 are directionalantennas, shroud 126 does not intersect the direction of the wirelesssignals from antennas 106 and 108 when shroud 126 is releasably coupledto base panel 110. In some embodiments in which antennas 106 and 108 areomnidirectional or dipost antennas that generate a wireless signal in aplurality of directions, at least one of the plurality of directions isnot intersected by shroud 126 when shroud 126 is releasably coupled tobase panel 110.

In some embodiments, first and second antennas are rotatably coupled tobase panel 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, mounting assembly100 includes an antenna support 140 configured to support one or moreantennas, for example, first and second antennas 106 and 108, androtatably coupled to base panel 110. In some embodiments, antennasupport 140 comprises a base panel 142 that supports first and secondantennas 106 and 108. Base panel 142 can have any suitable shape forsupporting first and second antennas 106 and 108. For example, as bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 4, base panel 142 can be substantially planar andrectangular.

In some embodiments, base panel 142 is rotatably coupled directly toaccess point mounting bracket 114. For example, as best seen in FIGS. 3and 4, antenna support 140 can also include a pair of panels 144extending from base panel 142. Panels 144 can be rotatably coupled to acorresponding pair of panels 146 extending from bracket 114, forexample, from bracket arm 120 of bracket 114. Panels 144 can berotatably coupled to panels 146 using any suitable rotatable coupling,for example, a pivot pin 148.

Base panel 142 of antenna support 140 can be configured to rotaterelative to base panel 110 about an axis and anywhere between a firstterminal position and a second terminal position. In some embodiments,base panel 142 of antenna support 140 is substantially parallel to basepanel 110 and longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 at the first terminalposition. And at the second terminal position (best seen in FIG. 3), anon-zero angle 150 is formed between base panel 110 (and longitudinalaxis 103 of post 102) and base panel 142 of antenna support 140. In someembodiments, angle 150 is about 30 degrees at the second terminalposition. In some embodiments, the axis about which base panel 142rotates is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 103 of post102. For example, if longitudinal axis 103 of post 102 is vertical, theaxis about which base panel 142 rotates is horizontal.

In some embodiments in which antenna support 140 is configured tosupport a directional antenna that focuses a wireless signal in adirection, an installer positions base panel 142 at a position betweenthe first terminal position and the second terminal position such thatthe direction of the wireless signal is angled toward a desired arealikely to have network users, for example, downward toward the groundwhen mounting assembly 100 is mounted to a lamp post.

Wireless access point 104 can be mounted to post 102 using any one ofthe above described embodiments. In some embodiments, a method ofmounting wireless access point 104 to post 102 includes mounting basepanel 110 to post 102. For example, base panel 110 can be mounted topost 102 using post mounting brackets 122 and 124. Wireless access point104 can be mounted to base panel 110 before or after mounting base panel110 to post 102. Then after mounting base panel 110 to post 102, shroud126 can be releasably coupled to base panel 110 such that shroud 126 atleast partially surrounds base panel 110, wireless access point 104supported by base panel 110, and post 102. For example, referencing FIG.6, the installer can align opening portion 154 with post 102 and thenadvance shroud 126 in the positive x-direction to a position as shown inFIGS. 1-6. Then shroud 126 can be, for example, releasably coupled tobase panel 110.

Before coupling shroud 126 to base panel 110, an installer has easyaccess to base panel 110 and access point 104. Additionally, becauseshroud 126 is releasably coupled to base panel 110, shroud 126 can beremoved after initially coupling shroud 126 to base panel 110 (in someembodiments), an installer can again gain access to wireless accesspoint 104 for modification or replacement of access point 104.

In some embodiments, one or more antennas are rotatably coupled directlyto the wireless access point. Accordingly, in some embodiments, antennasupport 140 can be omitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, first andsecond antennas 206 and 208 are rotatably coupled directly to a wirelessaccess point 204.

In some embodiments, the mounting assembly can be configured to mountnetwork devices other than a wireless access point. In some embodiments,the mounting assembly can be configured to mount electronic devicesother than network devices.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks and method steps illustrating the performanceof specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries ofthese functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarilydefined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternateboundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions andrelationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternateboundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for mounting a wireless access pointand an antenna to a post having a longitudinal axis, the assemblycomprising: a base panel configured to be mounted to the post and tosupport the wireless access point; a wireless access point mountingbracket coupled to the base panel and configured to secure the wirelessaccess point to the base panel; and a single-sheet shroud configured toat least partially surround the base panel, the wireless access pointsupported by the base panel, and the post, the shroud defining aninterior volume and having an open cross-sectional shape in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post, wherein the basepanel and the wireless access point are positioned within the interiorvolume, wherein a first end of the shroud is coupled to the wirelessaccess point mounting bracket and a second end of the shroud is coupledto the wireless access point mounting bracket.
 2. The assembly of claim1, wherein the interior volume is bounded by an opening spanning a firstside, a second side, and a third side of the assembly.
 3. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the shroud is configured to at least partiallysurround the antenna such that at least a portion of the antenna ispositioned within the interior volume.
 4. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the cross-sectional shape is U-shaped.
 5. The assembly of claim1, further comprising an antenna support configured to support theantenna and rotatably coupled to the base panel such that the antennasupport rotates between a first position and a second position.
 6. Theassembly of claim 5, wherein: the antenna support is substantiallyparallel to the base panel at the first position; and a non-zero anglebetween the base panel and the antenna support is formed at the secondposition.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the angle between the basepanel and the antenna support is about 30 degrees at the secondposition.
 8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the antenna supportrotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the post.
 9. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising: awireless access point mounting bracket comprising a bracket arm coupledto the base panel, the bracket arm being configured to secure thewireless access point to the base panel, the bracket arm comprising apanel extending from the bracket arm, wherein the antenna supportcomprises a base panel that supports the antenna and a panel extendingfrom the base panel that is rotatably coupled to the panel of thebracket arm by a pivot pin.
 10. The assembly of claim 5, wherein theantenna support is configured to support more than one antenna.
 11. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the shroud does not intersect at least onedirection of the wireless signal from the antenna.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first end of the shroud is releasably coupled tothe wireless access point mounting bracket and the second end of theshroud is releasably coupled to the wireless access point mountingbracket.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis ofthe post is substantially vertical.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe post is an outdoor lamp post.
 15. A device for enclosing a wirelessaccess point mounted to a post having a longitudinal axis, the devicecomprising: a wireless access point mounting bracket configured tosecure the wireless access point to a base panel; and a single-sheetshroud defining an interior volume configured to at least partiallyreceive the wireless access point and a portion of the post such thatthe shroud at least partially surrounds the wireless access point andthe post, wherein a first end of the shroud is coupled to the wirelessaccess point mounting bracket and a second end of the shroud is coupledto the wireless access point mounting bracket, and wherein the shroudhas an open cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the post.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein thepost is an outdoor lamp post.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein thecross-sectional shape is U-shaped.
 18. The device of claim 15, whereinthe antenna support is configured to support more than one antenna. 19.A method of mounting a wireless access point to a post having alongitudinal axis, the method comprising: mounting, to the post, anassembly comprising a base panel and a wireless access point mountingbracket securing the wireless access point to the base panel; aftermounting the assembly to the post, coupling a first end and a second endof a single-sheet shroud to the wireless access point mounting bracket,wherein the single-sheet shroud has an open cross-sectional shape in aplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post to the basepanel such that the shroud at least partially surrounds the base paneland the post.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the assembly furthercomprises an antenna; and wherein the shroud does not intersect at leastone direction of a wireless signal from the antenna.